☯ TCM Properties
Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, soothes the Liver and invigorates the Blood
Traditional Chinese Uses
Chi Sha Tang here denotes unrefined brown cane sugar (Hong Tang, derived from Saccharum officinarum), a sweet, warm tonifying substance entering the Liver, Spleen and Stomach channels. It gently tonifies the Spleen and Stomach and supplements Qi, easing cold-type abdominal pain, poor appetite, and fatigue, and is used as a warming vehicle to harmonize and sweeten bitter decoctions.
Being warm and moving, it also soothes the Liver, warms the middle to dispel Cold, and invigorates the Blood to relieve stasis. It is a classic domestic remedy for cold-deficiency menstrual pain and for postpartum recovery, where it promotes Blood circulation, expels lochia, and warms the body—most familiarly as brown-sugar-and-ginger tea. It is typically dissolved in warm water, wine, or a finished decoction. Because it is sweet and cloying, it is used cautiously where Dampness, Phlegm, or fullness predominate.
Botanical Description
Chi Sha Tang, literally 'red-sand sugar,' is a traditional Chinese preparation referring to unrefined brown cane sugar (Saccharum officinarum derived) decocted with cinnabar or red minerals in some historical formulations, though in modern usage the name most often denotes simple unrefined red cane sugar used as an adjuvant. The pinyin is not associated with a distinct medicinal plant of its own in mainstream Pharmacopoeia or Bensky, and any cinnabar-containing version would be a toxic mineral preparation. Given the ambiguity and historical variability, all plant-fields are set to null. The substance, where used medicinally, is administered within the TCM tradition primarily as a warming, blood-supplementing adjunct or as a vehicle for other medicinals.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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